Memorials › SN Oliver Raymond "O. R." Long

SN Oliver Raymond "O. R." Long

19 Aug 1929 – 15 Jun 2015

Birth19 Aug 1929
Death15 Jun 2015
CemeteryBrookside Cemetery
Tecumseh , Lenawee County , Michigan , USA
Added byOldSoul-Progressive Spirit on 23 Feb 2021
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/223485656

Bio

Oliver "Ollie" Raymond Long , 85, of Tecumseh was born into eternal life on June 15, 2015, surrounded by his loving family as he left his earthly body. Ollie was born August 19, 1929 in Hatchell, Texas to Andrew Jackson Long and Sallie Vivian Trammel(Howell). On May 26, 1955, he married the love of his life, Verna Lois Pratt in Honolulu, Hawaii where he was stationed in the Navy, proudly serving our country. Ollie retired after a distinguished career with Honeywell Information Systems in 1986. He continued to work, even in retirement, including many years as a part of Handler Funeral Homes family, where his gentle manner and caring words were a source of comfort for those in bereavement. He offered his free time as a mentor, and gave himself to benefit others. He was a devoted Christian and many of his friends in Christ looked forward to seeing Ollie greet them at the door at the Tecumseh Church of the Nazarene, where he was a member for many years. Ollie loved animals, especially cats and dogs. He loved good food and good friends. He enjoyed making people laugh with his quick wit. He lived by the Golden Rule. Ollie had a special charisma that made him unforgettable and he made a positive impact on many people's lives. In addition to his wife, Verna Lois, Ollie is survived by his son, Steve (Kathleen, and her daughters Leah and Erin), daughter, Rhonda, granddaughter Courtney (Gil Moyer) and a great grandson, Gil, and a brother Charles, and many nieces and nephews and special friends, Nick Handler and Pastor Gary Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Billy, Jack and C.A., and sister Sibyl. Visitation for Ollie will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes from 5-7:00 pm. Funeral service will be held on Friday, June 19, 2015 at the Tecumseh Church of the Nazarene at 1:00 pm with visitation from 12:00 noon until the time of the service. Immediately following the service military honors will be held under the auspices Tecumseh American Legion Post #34 and VFW Post #4187 at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Lenawee County Humane Society in his honor. Oliver Raymond (O.R.) Long was born in Hatchell, Texas 19 Aug 1929 the fourth of five sons born to Andrew Jackson Long & Sallie Howell. He attended Ballinger High School where he got his first taste of military training by serving in the First Platoon of the BHS Victory Corps during WWII. He married Queba Ferguson in Ballinger 7 Sept 1948. They both went to work for a drive-in in San Angelo which was owned by Ford Taylor, who also owned the Ford Theatre in Ballinger. Taylor opened another location in McCamey and asked O.R. and Queba to manage it, so they relocated farther west. O.R. worked there awhile then took a job with Western Geophysical based out of Lovington, NM running seismographs in the oil field. After their marriage ended in 1951, O.R. returned to Ballinger briefly, then, in February 1952, enlisted in the Navy with friend and classmate from Ballinger High, Marvin Sanders. The Korean War was heating up at that time and his older brothers recommended he avoid the draft by enlisting in the Air Force or Navy. The Air Force was in the highest demand and had reached its quota, so the Navy it was. He was assigned service number 3620980 and attended basic training in San Diego. From there he proceeded to the technical training school in Norman, OK after which he was transferred to the Naval Air Station in Hutchinson, KS. At Norman, he was trained to be an aircraft mechanic, and as a result, he never had a single day of shipboard duty. While stationed in Kansas, he met his second wife, Lois Pratt. He was transferred to Hawaii in support of VP FASRON – 117, a Naval Fleet Air Squadron, gaining the rank of ADR2 - Aviation Machinist's Mate (Reciprocating Eng Mech) Petty Officer 2nd Class. On 26 May 1955, he and Lois were married in Honolulu. On 6 Feb 1956, he separated from active duty, but remained in the Naval Reserve until 19 Feb 1960. For services rendered, he obtained the Good Conduct and National Defense Medals with his Honorable Discharge. Returning to San Angelo, he worked a job with a bookbinding company for a few months before hiring on at Goodfellow AFB at $2.05 per hour changing aircraft carburetors, engines and cylinders. After being laid off there, he decided he might want to start a TV Repair business, so he decided to enroll in electronics school. Attending Central Technical Institute in Kansas City on the GI Bill, he obtained an Associates in Electronics Engineering, and in 1960, accepted a position with Honeywell where he worked until retirement. His final position with them landed him in Tecumseh, Michigan where he spent his sunset years. As poor health set in, their daughter Rhonda graciously moved in and cared for he and Lois until the end. O.R. passed on 15 June 2015, barely two months from his 86th birthday. His ashes are interred in Columbariam #13, Brookside Cemetery in Tecumseh. ~ Compiled for publication in Vol. 6 of "Veterans of Runnels County" by Zebulon Long

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